Area Sales Manager
Job Description
Role: Area Sales Manager
Title/Designation: Manager
Function: Domestic Sales
Department: Consumer Products Division - Sebamed
Reporting to: Zonal Sales Manager
Job Grade/Level: L5 (B)
Direct Reportees: 5 - 6
Indirect Reportees: NA
Role Objective
Drive and achieve sales targets in the assigned area by effectively managing a team of territory sales managers. Foster strong relationships with key partners to enhance product penetration and increase customer engagement
Business Development
- Execute the defined sales and marketing strategy to drive sales for General Trade and stand-alone stores in the assigned area
- Implement strategies for different trade segments and ensure optimum utilisation of trade marketing resources
- Develop a robust go-to-market strategy leveraging data analytics, optimising logistics, and fostering strong distributor partnerships to enhance distribution reach and ensure effective new product introductions
- Assess sales performance to find opportunities and adjust tactics and strategies based on feedback and data
- Conduct thorough market analysis to understand customer preferences, market trends, and competitive activities
- Assist in developing effective stakeholder engagement strategies
- Cascade the area targets into territorial targets by providing direction to Territory Sales Manager
- Ensure competitor analysis as appropriate to understand market trends for the territory
Sales Management
- Set achievable sales targets for the team and monitor progress to drive performance
- Monitor achievement of sales targets in the assigned area to meet revenue goals and increase market share
- Ensure optimal merchandising and strategic product placement in retail stores
- Engage with customers to drive desired business outcomes
- Ensure volume growth by identifying new avenues for business across key customers
- Evaluate team performance metrics consisting of call average coverage and repeat coverage and create a plan to address any gaps
- Analyse field efforts and provide periodic feedback to the sales associates based on strategy
- Implement advanced sales tools like Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Sales Force Automation (SFA) to enhance distributor collaboration and efficiency
- Monitor team’s adherence to the sales team charter, which outlines processes, governance, and structure for managing sales across General Trade
- Plan promotional campaigns to boost brand visibility and sales
- Assist in new product launches to ensure their success, from availability phase to the promotional phase
- Conduct periodic review meetings with the team and provide updates to Zonal Sales Manager
- Adjust sales tactics and strategies based on market feedback and data analysis to optimise performance
- Communicate performance updates, market analysis, strategic initiatives, and business projections to key stakeholders
Channel Management and Stakeholder Engagement
- Ensure effective new product introductions and facilitate the growth of individual brands through effective go-to-market strategy execution
- Foster strong relationships with stockists and trade partners by proactively resolving issues
- Participate in regular meetings with key accounts, distributors, and channel partners
- Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with supply chain teams to ensure product availability across channels
- Evaluate channel performance and provide recommendations
- Maintain channel hygiene while implementing sales strategies
People and Culture
- Promote and embody the USV Credo
- Cultivate a positive and inclusive team culture that encourages collaboration and transparent communication.
- Guide the development of the function’s workforce and recruitment plans
- Foster a culture of meritocracy through periodic performance reviews of direct and indirect reportees, providing constructive feedback and recognition
- Oversee regular training to ensure the team has the latest knowledge and skills to excel and drive the organisation forward
- Identify high-potential candidates in consultation with the Zonal Sales Manager and groom them to take up the next role
- Guide reportees on operational, financial, and people matters, offering advice to overcome challenges, optimise performance to achieve sales
STAKEHOLDER INTERACTION
Type of Interaction: Internal
Interaction with: Territory Sales Manager, Area Sales Manager, Functional Teams of Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Zonal Sales Manager
Nature of Interaction: Effective communication in connection with instructions, requests or normal work tasks, motivating the team, handling escalations
Type of Interaction: External
Interaction with: Customers /CFAs / Stockist / Retail Outlets
Nature of Interaction: Basic explanation of products or services to customers or clients and communication around escalated or difficult queries with customers or clients
Job Requirements
Professional Experience and Relevant Skills
- Must have a minimum of 8-10 years of overall experience, with 5 years in General Trade and FMCG sales
- Must possess extensive functional and process knowledge in sales, including expertise in sales strategies, channel management, and customer relationship management within FMCG (Personal Care), along with experience handling first-level managers like TSI/SO and a smart understanding of the sales area
- Must demonstrate strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, good networking and team management capabilities
Academic Qualifications & Certifications
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing or a related field, with a preference for a Master of Business Administration in Sales and Marketing
Behavioural Competency (Proficiency Levels from 1 – 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest)
- Achievement Orientation ( 4 )
- Problem Solving and Decision Making ( 3 )
- Integrity and Process Compliance ( 4 )
- Effective Communication (3)
- Customer Orientation (3)
- Team Management ( 3 )
- Collaboration ( 3 )
- Planning and Execution (3)